Phillies one step closer to World Series, Angels get back on track

Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run, two-out double in the ninth inning to give the Philadelphia Phillies a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and a 3-1 lead in the National League Championship Series on Monday.

His team mate Ryan Howard also hit a two-run, first inning homer to tied Lou Gehrig's 78-year record for the most consecutive RBI's in postseason games.

The defending champions can seal the best-of-seven series and return to the World Series with one more victory. Game Five is in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

"This is big. The pressure is all on them," Rollins told reporters.

"We wanted this. We needed this to put the pressure on them at our place.

"We didn't want to go back to LA and give them back the home field advantage if we can avoid it."

The Dodgers, who were routed by the Phillies 11-0 on Sunday, appeared ready to even the series before Rollins' drive to right center field scored Eric Bruntlett and Carlos Ruiz.

"It's a very tough lineup to go through. You try to be careful," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said.

"Our mind-set is playing one game at a time. In the postseason, you think you can win three games in a row."

Angels are back in 11th inning

Jeff Mathis smacked a two-out double in the 11th inning to plate the winning run for Los Angeles Monday as the Angels narrowed the gap on the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

The Angels won 5-4 to close to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series that will send the winners to the World Series.

After Ervin Santana pitched a perfect top of the 11th, David Robertson recorded two quick outs in the bottom half before Yankees manager Joe Girardi sent in reliever Alfredo Aceves.

Howie Kendrick, who had a home run and a triple, singled up the middle off Aceves. Mathis then drove a fastball to deep left that was out of the reach of Jerry Hairston jnr and Kendrick crossed home ahead of a throw.

Vladimir Guerrero also homered as the Angels rallied from a 3-0 deficit.

The Yankees couldn't get the victory despite four solo homers from their marquee players, including an eighth-inning shot from Jorge Posada that knotted the score at 4-4.

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Johnny Damon also homered for New York.

The Angels will try to level the series here on Tuesday, when they send Scott Kazmir to the mound and the Yankees give the ball to ace CC Sabathia, who will throw on three days' rest.